15 Easyjet tricks
How to manipulate the budget airline & avoid extra fees
Easyjet is one of the largest airlines in the UK, and with the right approach, you can find several smart ways to reduce your expenses. However, it’s important to always compare with top competitors using our Cheap Flights guide. Additionally, check out our 20 Ryanair tips for more strategies on saving money on budget flights.
1 – You can now pay to bring a second larger bag on board
In 2021, Easyjet revised its baggage policy, reducing the allowance for standard seat passengers. Now, if you’ve booked a standard seat, you can only bring a small bag into the cabin with dimensions up to 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, which is about the size of a typical rucksack.
If you want to bring a second, larger bag (measuring 56cm x 45cm x 25cm) on board, you can pay an additional fee starting from £5.99. Although the maximum fee isn’t specified, it has previously reached £33. This option also includes ‘speedy boarding,’ allowing you to be among the first to board.
2 – Boost your luggage with a carrier bag
Boost your hand luggage allowance using a carrier bag. Unless you pay for an upgrade, Easyjet enforces a strict policy on hand luggage, allowing passengers to bring only one item on board – such as a rucksack, handbag, or laptop bag.
However, there is a way to bring a second bag without paying extra, and it involves shopping after you pass through security. In addition to your main hand luggage, Easyjet permits one shopping bag on board (as detailed in the ‘Accessories’ section of their baggage policy).
It’s important to remember that Easyjet specifies this should be “a standard bag of goods purchased at the airport.” We’re not encouraging unnecessary shopping, but if you happen to have a duty-free or similar shopping bag, it can give you extra flexibility at the gate. Some passengers have found that they could tuck a few extra items or even a handbag into the shopping bag, while others report success in bringing a bag they prepared in advance.
3 – Take squishable hand luggage – it can defy size limit restrictions
Like many airlines, Easyjet enforces hand luggage size limits, but the kind of bag you choose can significantly impact your travel experience.
Holdalls, for example, are spacious enough to accommodate your essentials and often have a better chance of fitting into overhead compartments, especially when those compartments are already crowded with rigid, wheeled suitcases. Additionally, in situations where you need to demonstrate that your bag meets size requirements, a holdall can be easier to squeeze into the luggage bins.
There’s also a chance that staff might permit a holdall onboard, even if it slightly exceeds the standard cabin luggage dimensions.
4 – Confirmed Easyjet cheap seats release
Be ready to pounce when Easyjet launches its seats. EasyJet operates on a dynamic demand pricing system, meaning ticket prices fluctuate based on the level of demand. When demand is high, prices increase; when demand is low, prices decrease. Typically, predicting these fluctuations can be challenging as prices are constantly changing.
However, there’s a notable exception: right when new seats become available. At this moment, demand is usually at its lowest. Seat releases occur in several waves throughout the year.
Confirmed. Seats for spring 2025 to be released on 21 May 2024
A new set of seats is scheduled to be made available on Easyjet’s website on the morning of Tuesday, 21 May. These tickets will cover travel dates between 3 March 2025 and 15 June 2025.
Although we inquired with Easyjet about the number of seats that will be offered, the airline has yet to provide this information. In the previous release in March, around 18 million seats were made available, with approximately 10 million of those being on UK-related flights.
What time will the seats be released?
Good question. EasyJet informed us that tickets will be available “early tomorrow morning.” Based on past releases, setting your alarm for around 6 am would be a smart move.
Seats are not typically added all at once, so it’s wise to wake up early and start checking. If you don’t find what you’re looking for right away, try again every 10 minutes or so.
Historically, seat prices have increased 2-3 hours after becoming available, so getting online early is essential for snagging a good deal.
Will you definitely get the cheapest tickets as soon as they’re released?
An EasyJet representative shared: “We advise customers to book in advance to secure the lowest fares. Prices are based on demand, so they begin at a lower rate and increase as more seats on the flight are reserved.”
Use common sense when you see the price. Only book if it feels right and always do a flight comparison to see if other airlines can beat it.
5 – Easyjet’s axed its free refund trick for most – but Easyjet scheme members can still use it
EasyJet’s price guarantee ensures that if you discover a cheaper fare for the same flight after you’ve made a booking, you’ll be refunded the difference in the form of a credit voucher. However, this voucher must be used within six months. It’s important to note that this only applies if you booked directly with EasyJet, and the guarantee doesn’t cover sale prices.
Before 2017, this refund option was available to everyone and became a popular choice. However, EasyJet has since restricted this offer to members of either EasyJet Plus or Flight Club.
For EasyJet Plus members, the price guarantee applies only to individual bookings, while Flight Club members can benefit from the offer for all passengers included in the booking. You can also take advantage of this offer even if you join EasyJet Plus or Flight Club after you’ve booked your flight.
What are Easyjet Plus and Flight Club?
EasyJet Plus membership is priced at £215 annually per individual. It includes perks like allocated seating, priority boarding, an extra small cabin bag, and access to dedicated bag-drop counters, along with a price guarantee. On the other hand, EasyJet’s Flight Club is an exclusive, invitation-only program designed for regular travelers who take around 20 flights a year, offering benefits such as fee-free flight changes.
How to check if the price has dropped and make a claim
If you’re a member of one of the schemes above, here’s how to claim:
- Step 1: Check if the price has dropped. Check the price listed on EasyJet’s website against the amount you paid. If the website shows a lower price and there’s no ongoing sale, you might be eligible to claim the difference. Remember, the final amount you paid could include additional costs like baggage fees and seat selection, so make sure to account for those.
- Step 2: Call to claim your voucher. Keep your booking reference and flight details readily available, and then contact EasyJet customer service at 0330 551 5151. Since this is an 03 number, the call will either be included in your minutes plan or cost the same as a regular call. Note that claims cannot be submitted via email or letter; a phone call is required.
- Step 3: Use your credit voucher within six months, by phone only. You’ll receive the price difference as an Easyjet credit voucher via email, typically right away. If you don’t see it, be sure to check your spam folder. You’ll have a six-month window to use the voucher on any Easyjet flight. When booking, you’ll need to call, but Easyjet promises you’ll always pay the online quoted price. Flight Club offers an added benefit—it not only applies to flights with Easyjet but also to comparable flights you find cheaper with other airlines. In this case, it will refund the price difference and issue an Easyjet voucher worth 10% of that difference.
Does this trick work with other airlines?
Unfortunately, this feature appears to be exclusive to Easyjet. We reviewed other major carriers, including British Airways, Jet2, Ryanair, Tui, and Virgin, and found that none of them offer a similar service.
That said, British Airways, Ryanair, and Virgin do provide a refund for the price difference if you discover a cheaper fare elsewhere, such as through a travel agent, provided you originally made your booking directly with them.
6 – When to check in for a better seat
Check in 30 days in advance for a better seat on your flight – at NO extra cost. Unlike many other airlines, Easyjet offers free seat allocation and check-in up to 30 days before your departure. While choosing a specific seat comes with a fee, checking in early increases your chances of getting a more desirable seat.
If you’d rather not gamble and want to pick your seat at the time of booking, Easyjet’s fees start at “from 99p” for a standard seat on a short flight. For premium seats, like those in the front row on longer flights, prices can go up to £39.99 (you can find a full breakdown of costs on Easyjet’s fees and charges page).
Regardless of whether you opt for a paid seat or the free 30-day advance check-in, avoid leaving it to the last minute. Many seats may already be taken, potentially resulting in seating that’s not next to your family, partner, or friends.
To maximize your seating options, it’s best to check in online and secure your seats as soon as possible.
Travelling with kids? You DON’T have to pay extra to sit near them
Previously, it was not uncommon for airlines to impose a ‘family tax,’ where parents had to pay extra to ensure they could sit beside their children.
Nowadays, most airlines (though not all) ensure that children will be seated next to at least one accompanying adult without any additional charge or the need for early check-in.
EasyJet does not levy extra fees on parents. The airline aims to seat parents with their children whenever possible, even if they haven’t paid for seat reservations. However, they suggest checking in as early as possible due to their first-come, first-served seat allocation policy. This seating arrangement does not extend to other groups traveling together.
For details on other airlines’ policies and tips to avoid seat allocation charges, refer to our Airline Seating Guide.
7 – Board earlier to ensure you and your luggage stick together
Indeed, it can be highly beneficial to join the queue as early as possible.
Like many airlines, especially those operating short-haul flights, EasyJet has limited storage space in its cabins. Boarding later in the process increases the risk that the overhead bins close to your seat will be full, which might require you to stow your bag in a different part of the plane.
To prevent the hassle of retrieving it after landing or disturbing fellow passengers during the flight if you need to access something from your bag, it’s wise to arrive at the gate and line up early.
8 – Pay the right way for extra protection
The most secure method for paying for a flight priced over £100 is to use a credit card, provided you repay the amount in full to avoid any interest charges. This way, you benefit from Section 75 protection, which means that the credit card company shares liability if something goes wrong. However, this protection isn’t as straightforward for return journeys.
For instance, if you purchase two separate flights at £50 each, despite the combined total being £100, you won’t receive this protection since each flight is considered a separate transaction. To qualify for the additional protection, each single flight would need to be priced at £100 or more.
Additionally, since January 2018, credit card surcharges have been prohibited, so there are no extra fees for using a credit card.
Debit card payments get some protection too
When using a debit card, you have access to a level of protection that might allow you to recover your funds if issues arise—though it’s less robust than the coverage offered by Section 75.
This protection is known as ‘chargeback,’ and it is available for most debit and charge cards, as well as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards. However, it’s important to note that chargeback is not mandated by law. For more details, check out our Chargeback guide.
9 – Swerve expensive Easyjet extras
Avoid expensive Easyjet extras such as car hire, hotels and travel insurance – always check prices independently. After selecting your flight with Easyjet, you’ll likely be inundated with additional offers such as hotels, car rentals, and travel insurance.
While these extras can indeed be useful, it’s crucial to avoid being swayed by flashy advertisements. Always compare prices elsewhere before making a purchase.
Typically, buying these extras through airlines or travel agents tends to be more expensive compared to shopping around for them individually (see our travel insurance guide for detailed advice on finding the best policy).
For example, Easyjet’s single-trip insurance for a Berlin trip was listed at £24 per person, whereas standalone single-trip policies for Europe can start as low as £9 per person.
For more tips on saving money, check out our guides on Cheap Travel Insurance, Cheap Hotels, and Cheap Car Hire.
10 – Pack right, and you might be able to take more than you think
Similar to other low-cost carriers, EasyJet enforces a strict hand luggage policy regarding bag dimensions. For complimentary bags, the size restriction is 45 x 36 x 20 cm. If you opt to pay for a larger second bag, the maximum allowable size increases to 56 x 45 x 25 cm.
It’s important to note that these dimensions include the entire bag, including wheels and handles. Bags exceeding these measurements might require you to pay for checked luggage.
Additionally, EasyJet has imposed a weight limit of 15 kg per bag. However, you might find that you can pack more than you initially thought within this weight limit.
Stick to carry-on rules
You are required to transport liquids and gels in separate containers, each with a maximum capacity of 100ml. All these containers must fit inside a single transparent, resealable bag measuring 20cm x 20cm.
You can carry multiple 100ml containers, meaning you could, for example, split your sunscreen into two 100ml bottles. See the Government’s full regulations.
Don’t buy posh travel-size toiletries
Travel-sized lotions and potions often come with a hefty price tag. Instead, consider repurposing small empty bottles by thoroughly washing and drying them, then refilling them with your regular toiletries. Those free mini toiletry bottles from past hotel stays are ideal for this purpose.
Buy cheap, lightweight cases
Avoid going for anything elaborate – you can find budget options for around £10 that are probably within Easyjet’s size limits, as many are designed to meet the requirements of budget airlines these days.
Take a soft case
Typically, these bags offer more packing capacity than rigid cases due to their flexible nature. Additionally, they start off lighter, which makes them easier to stow in and retrieve from cabin compartments.
Take travel laundry wash
This allows you to maintain a compact capsule wardrobe and do laundry as needed. Additionally, you’ll save money by not needing to use a laundry service.
Leave space for your return
A lot of travelers return from their vacations with souvenirs that exceed their original packing. If you find yourself in this situation, remember to save some room in your suitcase for a pair of tiny wooden clogs or a mug that says “I heart Rome.”
11 – Always decide how much luggage you’ll need and book checked bags in advance
To save money, it’s clear that carrying only hand luggage is the most economical option. However, if the idea of restricting your vacation essentials to a small bag doesn’t appeal to you, make sure to pay for checked luggage ahead of time. Failing to do so could result in fees of up to £100 per round trip (refer to Budget flight fee-fighting for details on other airlines’ policies).
Easyjet’s baggage policy
These are your options for checked baggage:
- ‘Up to 15kg’ bag – from £6.99 per flight (booked online). You can’t buy this size at the airport. Easyjet no longer gives a price range, but in the past the cost went up to £35.49.
- ‘Up to 23kg’ bag – from £9.49 per flight (booked online). Easyjet no longer gives a price range, but in the past it went up to £42.49. It’s £40 a flight if you wait to pay at the airport check-in desk.
For both options, you can increase your weight limit:
- Online – £15 per 3kg. Up to a max of 27kg if you’ve booked a 15kg bag and 32kg if you’ve booked a 23kg bag
- At the airport – £12 a kg. This is what you’ll be charged at the airport if you go over your pre-booked limit – so ensure you weigh before you go.
12 – Don’t carry your luggage – wear it
Unless you’ve opted for an EasyJet Flexi fare, which allows you to bring a second small piece of hand luggage (such as a handbag or laptop bag), you are limited to just one item of hand luggage in addition to any duty-free purchases (refer to the section above for tips on maximizing this benefit).
Having been through the EasyJet boarding process before, you may have noticed a number of passengers struggling to fit their bags or rearranging their belongings at the gate.
Avoid this hassle by leveraging a resource you always have with you—your own person. The more you carry on your body, the less you need to cram into your cabin bag.
Think large, deep pocketed coats and jackets. Examples include the likes of a 22-pocket Scottevest, a special US survivalist jacket. It was quite bulky, yet it somehow accommodated a laptop, two books, a towel, passports, a T-shirt, socks, magazines, and various other items.
As another option, consider putting on any bulky coats, large boots, or thick sweaters you plan to bring along. These items can occupy a significant amount of space in your luggage. If the plane feels cramped, you can always store your belongings under the seat in front of you.
13 – Avoid sky-high food prices
Having a picnic in the air is completely allowed; the only restriction is on liquids exceeding 100ml due to security regulations.
Save some cash and prepare in advance by bringing your own snacks—this can be much cheaper than buying food on the flight or at airport shops. For example, an Easyjet meal deal, which includes a sandwich, a soft drink, and a snack, was priced at £8.50 when we looked. In comparison, a meal deal at Boots, despite the higher airport rates, is about £5.
Bringing your own food may mean you win on taste as well as price.
14 – Don’t assume Easyjet is cheapest
Although Easyjet is known for its budget-friendly fares, securing a rock-bottom price isn’t always guaranteed. You might discover a better deal with other airlines.
To ensure you’re getting the best price, make sure to compare the final quote with other options by consulting our Cheap Flights guide. For additional advice on how to find the best budget-friendly flights, check out our Budget Flight Fee-Fighting guide.
Don’t assume Easyjet is cheapest – always compare.
15 – Flight delayed in the last six years? You could be owed £100s in compensation
Nobody relishes the prospect of a flight delay, but there’s a silver lining: you might be able to recoup some of your lost time with financial compensation.
If your EasyJet flight is delayed by over three hours or cancelled, you could be eligible to receive compensation ranging from approximately £100 to £500.
Eligibility for this compensation hinges on various factors, including the departure location of your flight, the arrival time, and the reason for the delay. To determine if you qualify for compensation, consult our guide on flight delay compensation.